ALEXANDER COUNTY, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - An officer with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 84 in Alexander County is accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from the organization, among other veteran groups.

Deputies believe James Marion Benfield embezzled approximately $5,800.00 from the DAV.

The incidents occurred from August 2017 until it was discovered on May 29, 2018. Benfield was the treasurer in the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 84.

Investigators learned that Benfield was also an officer in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion, both in Alexander County. He was the Second Commander with the VFW and the Commander with the American Legion. Both organizations also found that he embezzled from their organizations during the same time period. Many transactions were ATM withdrawals and he used checks from the DAV to pay his bills.

Benfield is charged with three counts of embezzlement. He told police that his girlfriend, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Dixon, also used the ATM to withdraw money for their use. Investigators interviewed Dixon and she also admitted to taking the money for personal use. She was arrested for three counts of conspiracy to commit embezzlement.

Both were given a $15,500 secured bond and are due in court on Monday, June 4.